Pool Pump Repair Or Replace It? Is It Worth It? What Should You Do?

The pool pump is noisy, leaking, smoking, or just plain not working. This could be urgent if the pump is at risk of stopping altogether. Heat-related problems will arise very quickly without a pump to circulate the water. Continue reading, you will learn whether to repair your pool pumps.

What is Pool Pump Troubleshooting？

If your pump is dripping air, look for the issue near the Hair & Lint Strainer.
If your pump is dripping water, check the seal plate or volute for a problem.
If your pump makes an owl-like screeching noise, the motor bearings are shot; rebuild or replace the motor.
Look for obstructions or closed valves if your pump sounds like it is gurgling rocks because it is water-starved.
Check that the motor air vents are receiving enough airflow and that the voltage is accurate plus or minus 10% if your pump is overheating.
Check for an air leak first if your pump isn’t pumping water, and then look for damage or clogs in the impeller.

Pump Problem Or Motor Problem?

The seal plate that fastens or clamps the two pump halves together is what connects the electrical motor, which is the back half of the pump, to the front half of the pump (also referred to as the wet end).

Motor problems could have symptoms of not starting, overheating, or a loud, screeching operation, which indicates that the shaft bearings have gone bad.

Pump Problems (wet end) include all of the parts where the water moves through, such as the pump pot, pump basket, volute, impeller, and diffuser; sealed up with several gaskets and o-rings, and a mechanical seal on the motor shaft.

Leaking — either air or water — broken baskets, worn seals or o-rings, clogged impellers or diffusers, and cracked volutes are just a few examples of wet end issues.

You can estimate the cost of the necessary pump parts once you’ve identified the problematic items (call us for assistance), at which point you can decide whether it’s more cost-effective to repair the pump or to replace the pump and motor altogether.

When Repair Your Pump？

Repairing a pump or motor is cheaper than buying a new one. By locating your pump schematic in our section on pool parts, you can determine the parts you require. If you need any help identifying the proper pump parts, let us know.

You have a motor (or pump) that is under five years old. Motors can last up to 10 years, so if the motor still has a lot of life left in it, fixing the pump might be a good idea.

Any plumbing work required to connect the new pump should be avoided.

You enjoy fixing simple mechanical or electrical issues with your pool’s equipment.

When Replace Your Pump?

You reside in Texas, Arizona, California, Florida, or Nevada. Most pools are required by law to install an energy-efficient pool pump if you have a standard motor that is over 1 horsepower and you live in one of these states that prioritize energy conservation. The installation of a dual-speed or variable-speed pool pump (or motor) is typically required, but check the website of your state or local government for specific requirements.

The application requires a pump that is either too small or too large. It’s possible that your pool pump is too big if the filter pressure is running at 20 to 30 psi. Pressure can be lowered, flow can be improved, and energy consumption can be decreased by switching pumps to lower flow models or by downsizing the motor/impeller or pump.

Even though they are less frequent, undersized pumps may struggle to keep the pool clear or may need to run almost constantly.

Your motor is more than five years old, has fatal damage, and other pricey parts also require replacement.

You would prefer to have a dependable new pump with a new factory warranty because you don’t enjoy tinkering with machinery.

What to Do Before Calling a Pool Professional？

Before you contact a pool professional, let’s look at some of the self-help methods you can use to identify and fix some of the more typical problems your pool pump may experience.

Air in Pump Basket

Swimming pool pumps are built and engineered to operate in an airless environment, enabling the pump to produce the required vacuum. If you’re using a pool pump with a clear lid designed to see these problems, unwanted air usually develops in the pump basket and can be easily detected. A loose inlet fitting is one of the most typical causes of air entering the pump basket. A contractor might have installed the inlet fitting without a sealant, causing the inlet fitting to shrink in size from being exposed to excessive heat. Other things like too low of a water level or if the skimmer weir has been stuck in the “up” position, or if the pump basket is not properly secured. In either case, any of these things could lead to air accumulating in the pump basket and result in a number of problems, including a decline in the pool pump’s filtering effectiveness, a failure to prime the pump, and even the development of potentially hazardous air in the pool filter.

If you think there may be air in the pump basket, follow these steps.

If the pump’s inlet fitting is loose, swap it out.
If there isn’t enough water in your pool, add some.
Check the skimmer weir as being stuck in the “up” position can block the water and cause it to drain and take in air.
Put the pump basket lid in place and apply Teflon lube to the O-ring.
O-rings and Teflon tapes should be checked for on the drain plugs.

Pool Pump MotorCycling

A cycling pool pump motor is what we refer to when your pool pump turns on and then automatically turns off. Due to the pool pump overheating, one of the frequent causes of this issue, it may occur. Pool pump motors are somewhat warm to the touch because they typically operate at temperatures of over 140 degrees. Any temperature higher than that could lead to the motor overheating and shutting off automatically. Considering how easily overheating can occur, check to see if the motor has enough ventilation. Dust off any debris if you can to give the motor room to breathe.

The pool Pump Motor is Not Powering

A pool pump motor may also not turn on at all, which can be brought on by a variety of factors.

The wires connecting the pool pump to the outlet should first be inspected to ensure they are in good shape. Electrical problems could be brought on by any damage. Check for any infestation after that. Make sure to clean your pool pump if ants or bees decide to build nests there. As a final step, make sure the power is on. It’s possible that the outlet is dead and that the wall outlet is the cause of the issue.

In addition, you might need to schedule a pool pump repair by calling a pool expert. Make sure to get in touch with Central OC Pools when you decide to send in a professional. We’re supported by a group of knowledgeable specialists with years of real-world experience. You need not be concerned about the quality of their work or the assurance that they can fix your pool pump because our technicians are qualified, bonded, and insured. Other pool professionals are quick to suggest a replacement, but our team will assist you in diagnosing the issue and determining the best, most affordable solution. Rest assured that we have your best interests in mind if we suggest replacing your pool pump. We at Central OC Pools take great pride in being among the best the business has to offer.

Pump Motor Hums But Does Not Start

The appropriate humming noise may occasionally be made by your pool pump, but it may not turn on. It typically occurs when you start the motor for the first time after a long break at the start of the pool season. When rust has had time to form between the stator and the rotor inside your pool pump’s motor, it is known as a frozen motor by pool professionals. Rust causes the motor to become frozen and immobile, producing a low hum but failing to start the vehicle.

The motor may hum but not start due to a low voltage, which is another possible cause. Pool pumps with more recent motors are wired with 220 volts, and anything less will just make the motor hum.

Finally, if the impeller is clogged with debris, the motor shaft may not be able to rotate. Rarely, the impeller may build up so much dust and debris that it effectively prevents the shaft from rotating.

This is what you should do if any of these circumstances apply to you.

First, turn off the power to your pool pump if the impeller is clogged, then manually spin the motor shaft. Since most dirt and debris that become trapped in the impeller are small, any obstruction they cause can be removed by forcing the shaft to rotate. In any case, just take the motor out of the pump and clean the impeller.

The pool pump housing should have an open volute that gives you visual access to the shaft if you have a frozen motor, so look there next. If your pool pump doesn’t have any, you can get to the shaft by going around the back of the motor. Put a wrench on the shaft to enable back-and-forth movement. The motor will start if you loosen the shaft and remove any rust buildup.

Finally, to operate on low voltage, just plug the pool pump into an outlet with the appropriate power output.

Noisy Pump Motor

Too much noise coming from your pool pump motor is not typical. You’d have heard your pool pump make a sound before it started making an excessive amount of noise, so you’d know it. The sound of the pool pump, which typically makes a humming noise rather than a screeching sound, is a clear sign that something is wrong.

You might want to double-check the following.

Damaged bearings.
Cavitation.
Tension and traction.

Typically, the front and back of the motor shaft of your pool pump’s bearings are visible. These bearings are vulnerable to deterioration, just like most moving parts. Since they cannot be re-packed or re-lubricated, the front and rear bearings will need to be replaced. While a professional’s assistance is typically required when replacing parts inside the motor, you can replace it on your own. You can learn how to remove and replace the bearings as well as determine the bearing size if you have the user manual by your side. The bearing’s size is typically indicated by a three- or four-digit number stamped on it.

Take the motor off the pump and turn it on if you’re not sure if the issue is with the bearing. The motor will still make a screeching noise if the bearings are the issue even when it is not connected to the wet end of the pool pump.

You may be dealing with cavitation if the noise your pool pump makes (growling) persists. Cavitation is the process by which the water pressure rapidly changes, resulting in the formation of tiny cavities filled with vapor in areas where the water pressure is relatively low. Depriving the pool pump of water also contributes to its occurrence. In other cases, a clogged impeller or a pump that is too powerful for your plumbing system can cause cavitation. Look for any obstructions in the pump that might prevent water from entering the pump.

Additionally, the motor may make extra noise due to traction and tension. When the pool pump’s parts collide with one another, this occurs. The fan may quickly become worn out or the impeller may break if the impeller is allowed to become loose and hit the impeller housing, which will produce the noise.

How to Select a New Pool Pump?

If possible, use a pump of the same brand and model, unless you need to install a variable-speed pump or found that the current pump’s flow rate is woefully inadequate.

We can assume that when your pool was initially designed, the designer did the math, adding up all of the flow resistance, measured in feet of the head, and choosing a pump and filter in accordance with these calculations. The plumbing portion of pump installation will typically be simpler if you replace like with like because the height and setback of the pump are in and out ports that will match your existing plumbing configuration.

However, if your old pump is no longer produced, is not produced in an energy-efficient model, or the entire pump and filter system is being renovated, switching pump models or manufacturers shouldn’t be a problem. The flow charts should be used to match your new pump’s flow rate, pipe height, and setback measurements as closely as possible. This is crucial when switching pump models.

Keep in mind to match the flow rate, pump type, and horsepower. Use the flow rate charts, which are based on an average vertical axis (foot of head) of 20 feet (see an example chart below). The only accurate way to compare pump-to-pump flow rates is this way. Use an average amount, say 20 feet, when comparing your current pump’s flow capacity to a different make and model pool pump because you probably don’t know the precise amount of resistance in your system, measured in feet of head.

What Are the Common Problems with Pool Pumps?

Here are the common problems with a pool pump:

Pool Pump Not Priming

Without priming, a pool pump cannot maintain a constant flow of water. Despite the pump’s motor being in operation, no water is moving. A pump can sustain significant damage if it runs for a long period of time without any water passing through.

Make sure the pump is fully submerged in water and that the lid is on tightly when priming a pool pump. If necessary, replace an o-ring that is fragile or harmed. If your pump won’t prime on its own, you can use the skimmer to force water into the pump. If your pump still won’t prime, you might have a leak or a blockage.

Pool Pump Sucking Air

If you see air bubbles escaping from the pool returns, your pump might be drawing in air. Air leakage into the pump system frequently occurs at pool skimmers. The possibility of air entering the skimmer lines and being drawn into the pump increases if your water level is too low. You might also have plumbing leaks at the intake. When the pump is off, watch for water spouts near the valves and fittings.

Pool Motor Just Hums

Do you hear a humming noise, followed by a “click” when you start the pump? Your motor won’t turn on at all. When your motor gets too hot, a sensor in it shuts it down. Your motor will eventually cool down and the cycle will repeat itself if the power is left on.

Pool Pump Losing Power

If a pool pump appears to be losing power, meaning it isn’t pumping as hard as it once did, it may have worn out. In the best-case scenario, you might only need to manually clean or backwash the filter. Water flow obstruction may be the root of the pump’s diminished power.

Pool Pump Leaking Water

In particular, if the leak is occurring near the pump’s seal, you should fix your pool pump right away. Our pool maintenance specialists can help. Additionally, a seal kit ought to have been installed along with your new pool pump motor if it was recently installed. Gaskets, o-rings, and a pump seal would be included in this.

Is It Worth Repairing a Pool Pump?

You’ll probably need to change the pump’s motor and possibly a few pump baskets or seals within the first five years. Generally speaking, it makes sense to spend the money to fix it because the rest of the pump is still functional and has a few more years left in it.

What Causes Pool Pump Failure?

Bad Environment. In any climate, poor environmental conditions are the most frequent cause of pump failure. A lot of homeowners are unaware of how long their pool equipment has been exposed to the sun, or they might not be aware of a nearby sprinkler or run-off from the roof during a heavy downpour.

What is the Average Life of a Pool Pump?

On average, pool pumps last eight to 12 years before needing replacement. It is typical for pool components to start to deteriorate with time. In addition, swimming pool technology has advanced significantly over the past ten years.

Can a Pool Pump Be Repaired?

If you’re fairly confident in your DIY skills then you can always do minor pump repairs like changing the mechanical seals or changing your pump bearings.

Conclusion on Pool Pump Repair

It’s possible that your pool pump issue is something that can be resolved quickly. However, we strongly advise purchasing an energy-efficient variable-speed pump if all else fails or if your pump is well past its prime. Yes, it might cost a few hundred dollars more than a typical pool pump, but the energy savings will more than cover the cost of the pump in less than a year.